Jaime A. Mitrani Honored
By Robert C. Solera, Assistant Administrator Building Department, Director of Code Enforcement and Licensing Department

For his outstanding and dedicated work and contribution to the enrichment of the Republic of Cuba before 1958, the San Carlos Institute recently awarded the Medal of The Cuban National Excellence to Jaime A. Mitrani, Chief Structural Plans Examiner with the City of Sunny Isles Beach Building Department. The ceremony was held in the Manuel Artime Theater, San Carlos Institute, Key West, Florida.

In 1871 Cuban exiles that came to Key West founded the San Carlos Institute (picture courtesy of Cubanfest.com.) to organize the campaign in favor of Cuba’s independence from the Spanish Government. The Institute has served to preserve the Spanish language, traditions, and to promote the Cuban culture. The Institute is named after Cuba’s Seminario San Carlos (San Carlos Seminary), noted for its academic excellence and in honor of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, father of Cuba’s independence. The building that houses the Institute was remodeled and re-built after the 1919 hurricane. and the present building was completed in 1924 and incorporates many elements of Cuban architecture.

The San Carlos was one of the first bilingual integrated schools in America offering classes in both Spanish and English. Rafael Peñalver, a prominent Miami Attorney, became aware of the condition of the San Carlos and together with the Florida’s Hispanic Affairs Commission, made it his personal mission to save the landmark. There was a six-year restoration process headed by Jorge and Margarita Khuly, restoration architects. Currently the facility serves as a museum, library, school, art gallery, theater, and conference center. The Institute was reopened on January 3, 1992, the date marking the 100th anniversary of the first visit to the San Carlos by Jose Marti.

In September 1999 Mr. Mitrani started working with the City of Sunny Isles Beach as a Structural Plans Examiner. In September 2003 he was appointed the Chief Structural Plans Examiner. He holds licenses from the Florida Board of Professional Engineers, The National Council for Engineering and Surveying, The Florida Building Code Administrator and Inspector Board and is also a certified Floodplain Manager.

The Building Department and the City of Sunny Isles Beach are very proud of Jaime A. Mitrani and we consider it a privilege and an advantage to our community to have a specialist of this high caliber among our ranks.

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